February 2010: Message from the Director

Dear Educator,

The theme for this issue of Leadership Link is Appreciating Diversity.   With students coming from such unique and diverse backgrounds,it can be a meaningful and fun exercise celebrating that which makes them different. One way to do that is having each of your students share an interesting piece of their personal history with the rest of the class. Refer to this month’s lesson plan centered on Black History Month for a helpful way to start this conversation. Also, take a look at some of the interesting methods teachers are using in classrooms nationwide in the “Today in Education” section.

I really appreciate receiving all of your questions, comments and suggestions, and I encourage you to continue sending them my way. Look for the next edition of Leadership Link to arrive in early March!

Appreciating Diversity in the Classroom

Americans have recognized black history annually since 1926, first as "Negro History Week" and later as "Black History Month." February is a time for us to celebrate the great achievements and contributions of African Americans. Use the following lesson plan to help your students to identify and articulate the skills, traits and abilities that make their classmates and themselves unique, and to explain the elements of character of historical Americans.
Click Here to view this month's lesson - “Appreciating Diversity." You will be asked to login using the password you received via e-mail at the time you subscribed to CYLC Mentor Newsletter.

Did you use this lesson plan with your students? Please share some of your classroom experiences with using this lesson plan or share suggestions with your teachers on ways you adapted this lesson plan to work for you.

Former Speaker of the House at NYLC!

The National Young Leaders Conference (NYLC) is excited to kick off our spring sessions with a very special guest speaker on the floor of the House of Representatives. Former Speaker of the House, Dennis Hastert, will address students on March 4th and give them further insight into what it is like to serve in congress. Scholars will enjoy exclusive access to the House chamber and be able to ask questions of the guest speaker following the address.

Incorporating Current Events in Your Classroom

Teachers around the country are finding ways to incorporate current events into their classroom lessons.  Click here to read how teachers in Georgia are using the tragedy in Haiti to teach everything from geography to French.

The Science of the Winter Olympics

A free video series from the National Science Foundation and NBC uses the Winter Olympics and athletes to explain scientific principles. These videos would be a great resource if you are interested in incorporating the games in Vancouver, Canada -- broadcast from Feb. 12 to 28 -- into your lessons. The videos are available here.

Bringing Leadership Back to the Community

Kelsey Reid attended the National Young Leaders Conference in July of 2009. Upon returning home, Kelsey has used the skills she learned at NYLC to take on greater leadership opportunities in her community. For instance, she has become Co-Chair of Children First, an organization that works to create a positive community for youth. Through this position, she’s been able to collaborate with business, religious, education, and other community leaders. Next year, she plans to hold an editorial position on her school’s award winning newspaper, for which she is a staff writer this year.

In Kelsey’s words, “The greatest thing I gained from attending NYLC was confidence. In many ways, NYLC challenged and reaffirmed my political beliefs. I now have more confidence to defend my views and work to implement them into reality. Whatever career I eventually choose, NYLC reaffirmed my desire to be an informed and active world citizen.”

Students Can Now Receive College Credit for Attending a Program

As we mentioned last month, we have partnered with nationally ranked George Mason University to offer college credit for our high school leadership and career programs! George Mason University was featured in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Colleges 2009” ranking as the number one national university on its list of "up-and-coming schools."

February is Black History Month

We’ve compiled some resources for you to use with your students to celebrate and learn more about Black History Month.

• These internet Scavenger Hunts will help your students learn about famous Black Americans.
• The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum have collaborated on ready-to-use lesson plans, student activities, collection guides and research aids for you to use in your classroom. Check them out at http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/teachers.html